“Collaborative Chaos: Climate Change as Seen Through the Eyes of Taoseños” is a first.

“This unusual event is designed to provide “a unique opportunity for our community to witness art speaking and to learn more about climate change. The event brings together Taos’ diverse community to creatively express views on climate change through the visual and media arts,” according to a press release from the Taos Center for the Arts, sponsor of the event.

Then on Wednesday (Dec. 13) at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., the auditorium will screen “Movie Minute,” a series of short videos about climate change, all created and submitted by Taos area citizens, including students from Anansi Day School, Moreno Valley High School, Taos Day School, Vista Grande High School and many individual community members. Movie Minute is a free event.

On Thursday (Dec. 14) the event will culminate in a public gathering and reception in the Encore from 3-6 p.m.

The gathering is planned to open with a presentation by climate change-energy science consultant William (Bill) Brown, titled “Our Thin Blue Line: Taoseños and Earth’s Blanket.” Brown said he will share “selected iconic, thought-provoking images of our climate crisis and its solutions, woven together with a Taos area and Southwestern U.S. perspective.”

Following Brown’s presentation, climate change artists will share thoughts on their works: the how and why behind their images. As an added visual highlight, attendees will be greeted by Moreno Valley High School artist Phaera Fields’ Suburban SUV, painted with images that speak to the environment.

The event will close with a performance by Mimi Chen Ting. Better known for her paintings and prints, Ting’s movement-based performances, last presented at the Albuquerque Museum and the Harwood Museum in Taos, “integrate various physical disciplines in her training, her sense of ritual, her personal aesthetics in simplicity, economy, and a harmony of proportions, all within the precept of time. The performance will be a site-specific improvisational response to the other components in the ‘Creative Chaos’ project,” the press release states.

Over the course of the event, the broader community will also have an opportunity to express views on climate change by contributing writings and images on a community art wall in the Encore. The community will also have the opportunity to bid on a Toy Tesla.

“Tesla builds not only all-electric vehicles but also infinitely scalable clean energy generation and storage products. Tesla believes the faster the world stops relying on fossil fuels and moves towards a zero-emission future, the better,” the release continues. “The Toy Tesla could become your objet d’art or an eco-friendly toy for your favorite child or grandchild. The Tesla is currently on display in the Encore and bidding is via silent auction now through Dec. 14.”